When to plant hyacinths in Dodge City: 29 September – end of December

In Dodge City, hyacinth: plant from 29 September to the end of December.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Hyacinth in Dodge City: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -4.3 °C.

Planting	29 September – end of December
First autumn frost	29 October
Coldest nights	January, -4.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	17 January
Daylight	11:54 on 29 September
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:33

The same dates in Dodge City hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Crocus.

Hyacinth in Dodge City: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant hyacinths 10 cm deep, at least 7.5 cm apart (RHS). In the ground hyacinths are fully hardy, but in containers they can be frost tender in cold winters (RHS); here winter nights average below 0 °C, so wrap the pots or move them to a sheltered spot.

In Dodge City the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 18 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 12–15 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Flowers get smaller in the years after planting: for full spikes, replace the bulbs or add a few new ones each autumn (RHS).

If squirrels are a problem, protect the bulbs with wire mesh (RHS). Hyacinths are toxic to dogs, cats and horses: intense vomiting and diarrhoea (ASPCA).

Sources: RHS, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, ASPCA.

Hyacinth in nearby cities

Around Dodge City, Grand Island is 2 days earlier and Tulsa 19 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Wichita	236 km	30 September – end of December	1 day later
Oklahoma City	339 km	by 11 October	12 days later
Grand Island	379 km	27 September – 1 December	2 days earlier
Lawton	380 km	by 12 October	13 days later
Tulsa	400 km	by 18 October	19 days later
Topeka	402 km	29 September – 30 December	same day

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